Villagers Determined to Claim Rights Over Kendu Leaf Trade

Govt fails to issue deregulation and establish collection centers

- STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE

After an unsuccessful attempt last year, eight gram sabhas in the Boipariguda block of Koraput district are making a determined second effort to claim their rights over the gathering and sale of kendu leaves, a crucial Non-Timber Forest Product (NTFP) often called "Green Gold" for its vital role in sustaining indigenous livelihoods.

Under the Recognition of Forest Rights Act, 2006 (Scheduled Tribe and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers Act), kendu leaves are classified as Minor Forest Produce (MFP). The Act grants individuals and communities the right to collect, use, and dispose of such produce. "Section 3(1)C of this Act grants individuals or communities the right to own and access Minor Forest Produce, allowing them to collect, use, and dispose of these resources. This right extends to both traditional collection practices within and outside the village boundaries," said Bidyut Mohanty, secretary of SPREAD, an organization working on the rights of kendu leaf workers in Boipariguda.